Not long after Coco Crisp received a contract extension, Yoenis Céspedes spoke of getting an extension of his own and newcomer Jim Johnson said of his new A's gig, "I honestly wouldn't pick another spot."

Imagine that. Oakland, a favorable baseball destination.

"That's interesting," Josh Donaldson said when told of Céspedes' wishes. "This is the thing: I think the culture in Oakland as far as players is beginning to change. That's how I see it. For the simple fact that we're winning and we're successful."

Clock in, clock out

It wasn't long ago - remember the Bob Geren years? - that players weren't fond of joining the A's, and if they did land in Oakland, they often were eager to get out. There were grumps in the clubhouse, going through the motions, clocking in and clocking out as if they were digging ditches.

The vibe changed. The A's have consecutive division championships. Bob Melvin is one of the game's most respected managers. Instead of ripping the Coliseum, A's players use it as a punch line. Bud Selig calls it a pit, and the A's strike back with, "Yeah, but it's our pit."

Donaldson, too, wants to make the A's a long-term relationship. One of the majors' most underpaid players, Donaldson, who finished fourth in the American League MVP voting on a salary of $492,500, will be eligible for arbitration after this season but won't be a free agent until 2019.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had here," said the third baseman, whose new agent, Dan Lozano, probably will start pushing for a multiyear deal. "I would like to be an Oakland A as long as I can. I've enjoyed my time in Oakland and definitely would be open to talks."

Donaldson is 28, like Céspedes. Just reaching their athletic primes. On the open market, they'd be immensely popular, and general manager Billy Beane is elated that neither is on the eve of free agency. Céspedes has two years left on a four-year, $36 million contract that in retrospect was a wise signing on his part.

The Cuban defector was offered six-year deals elsewhere - he said the dollar amounts weren't considerably greater than he got in Oakland - that would have made him a free agent at age 32. Instead, he'll be 30, his market value seemingly higher. After two seasons in Oakland, in which he showed scary power but a knack for nagging injuries, Céspedes seems hooked on Oakland.

"I'm confident playing here, and the fans support me," he said, adding he'd prefer staying with the A's even if he doesn't receive an extension before free agency. "Maybe Oakland offers $40 million and someone else offers $80 million. But if another team offers me the same money as Oakland, I'll stay here."

Big shoes to fill

While Céspedes is seeking a bounce-back year - his power numbers were comparable to his rookie season, but his average dipped 52 points to .240, his OPS 124 points to .737 - Donaldson's aim is to do more of the same. No arguments with a .301 average, 24 homers and 93 RBIs.

"Do I believe I have the capability?" he asked. "Yeah. I don't think it's something that just happened overnight.'

Johnson never expected to join the A's after saving 50 games for the Orioles but said he's cool with it. See what a couple of division crowns and a straight-shooting manager does for a team's image? Johnson and Scott Kazmir replaced Grant Balfour and Bartolo Colon, a tall order considering Colon and Balfour were the A's All-Stars, one their best starter, the other their best reliever.

Johnson, whose $10 million salary ranks second on the team behind Céspedes' $10.5 million, was trade bait and wondered where he'd land before getting a call from assistant GM David Forst introducing him to Oakland.

"It was funny," Johnson said. "He goes, 'Bet you didn't pick that one.' And he was right. I didn't figure Oakland would trade for me, of all the teams. But looking at how things happen, I honestly wouldn't pick another spot. We've got a great clubhouse. Great fans. Great bullpen. Great team. Great coaching staff."

Didn't mention great ballpark.

"It's an advantage, though," Johnson said. "As an opponent, you hate coming in here. It's an advantage if you're the home team. You don't dwell on it. I played in the minor leagues. There are a lot worse places."

Exploding in popularity

The A's are a happening team, and Saturday's FanFest was a happening scene despite the rain. A while back, the A's made a PR blunder by canceling FanFest over a three-year stretch, a silly and regrettable decision considering the event is a forum for selling tickets.

It was resurrected in January 2012, and the A's sold 7,500 tickets. Last year, they sold 10,000 tickets, a sellout for the arena. This year, both the Coliseum and arena housed it - another sellout, this time 20 grand.

The ambiance is refreshing, and premium players are willing to discuss long-term deals. Meantime, die-hard Oakland fans wouldn't mind if the team ditched the San Jose talk and opened the upper deck. They might buy more of those Céspedes and Donaldson jerseys - which could be keepers, unlike so many of the others gathering dust in the closet.